The lost champions

Friday, February 15, 2008

Although the NCAA might say coach Forrest “Phog” Allen’s first official NCAA title didn’t come until the 1952 season, Allen’s previous success in the 1920s, when he led the Jayhawks to back-to-back national titles, should be noted.

In the 1921-1922 season, the Hawks went 15-1 in their division and had a 16-2 overall record.

With victories against notable schools such as Kansas State, Nebraska and Iowa State, the Hawks lost only twice, to Missouri and Kansas City AC, although they would go on to beat Missouri later in the season.

The Hawks were declared the Helms Foundation National Champions that season. The Helms Athletic Foundation was created by Paul Helms and Bill Schroeder. It had a panel of experts who selected national champions in college football and basketball until 1982.

The following season, 1922-1923, the Jayhawks went 16-0 in their division and went 17-1 for the season, once again losing to Kansas City AC in the middle of the season. The Hawks were again declared the Helms Foundation National Champions for the season.

Coach Phog Allen was one of the driving forces and a supporter of the NCAA tournament. Although he was able to see his tournament come to fruition in 1939, it also meant the end of the Helms tournament, and the Hawks’ back-to-back titles were no longer considered valid.

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